Something new is now inside the lobby of the Appling County Sheriff’s Office, and your law enforcement officials are hoping the “Big White Box” will take a big bite out of a major problem – the proper disposal of prescription (Rx) and over the counter (OTC) drugs that are out of date or not needed any more. Rx drug abuse among all age groups is currently being reported by law enforcement agencies across the state and country as a real and growing danger. In addition, unsafe disposal of Rx and OTC medications is costly to our environment and, therefore, to our health.

In response to the growing demand for a safe and convenient way to dispose of household Rx and OTC drugs, The Council on Alcohol and Drugs (The Council) recently launched Drug Drop Box Campaign. It kicked off with The Council donating a Drug Drop Box in virtually every county in the state that requested one (128 counties to date.) The Appling County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Appling County Hospital Authority in installing the “Big White Box” in the lobby at 560 Barnes Street, Baxley. Appling County’s Big White Box is accessible to the public 24 hours a day.

The Campaign goals are to keep these drugs out of the hands of children and teens, off the street, prevent overdoses and accidental poisonings, and avoid environmental contamination by not throwing drugs in the toilet, sink or trash. Items that can be placed in these secure drug drop boxes include expired and unused prescription (non-narcotics and narcotics), OTC drugs, medication samples, medicated ointment/lotion, drops, inhalers, unopened epi-pens, herbals and veterinary medications. Items that should not be placed in the boxes include needles or sharps, biohazard materials.

The Appling County Sheriff’s Office constantly strives to be proactive in enhancing public safety and saving lives in Appling County. For more information on the Drug Drop Box Campaign please contact Major Lee J. Sweat, Jr. or Investigator Dale Dixon at the Appling County Sheriff’s Office at (912) 367-8120. For more information on preventing prescription drug misuse and abuse, please visit http://www.stoprxabuseinga.org or email John Bringuel at jbringuel@livedrugfree.org.

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